The Advertiser-Gleam (Guntersville)
The spotlights on McCord Field at Albertville High School’s Aggie Stadium shined brightly on former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow on Sept. 20 as more than 10,000 fans from Marshall and surrounding counties listened intently to his message.
However, Tebow made it clear from his first words that his “Heavenly Father” should be given all of the glory as “Shine: A Night with Tim Tebow,” organized by Compassion City Church of Albertville working with Excellent Events, kicked off. That message was well received as more than 100 in attendance made professions of faith.
“We are blessed to have a community that pulls together to bring inspiration to our youth,” Jermaine Davis of Excellent Events said following the event. “Thank you to all who volunteered, who gave up countless evenings for planning and those who gave monetarily. We rejoice in the souls that were saved tonight. That’s what ‘Shine’ is all about.”
Hip-hop artist Canton Jones performed for the crowd for just over an hour before Tebow emerged from a black SUV parked behind a stage set up on the football field. His message to be true to yourself hit home with many. He used his personal experiences in high school, college and professional sports as a platform to engage the crowd made up of thousands of young athletes as he projected his Christian belief and the part it played in his success, even when he was knocked down.
“What happened when I got cut? What happened when I got traded? What happened when they said ‘You’re not good enough?’” Tebow asked. “You see, in the same year, I was voted one of the most popular athletes in America, and I was cut.”
Finding success
Tebow found much success playing college football for the University of Florida in Gainesville as the Gators’ quarterback — winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 as well as leading the team to win a national championship. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and spent two seasons with the team. He also played for the New York Jets in 2012. Additionally, he had preseason stints with the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
“So who am I? Who was I? Was I this person that a lot of people liked and supported and cheered for? Or was I this person that others said, ‘You’re not good enough?’” Tebow asked the crowd. “Let me tell you something, if you live by the world’s standards of what success, significance and meaning are, eventually you will be broken. Eventually, they will let you down because eventually you won’t be good enough; eventually, people will forget your name. But let me tell you this, the God of this universe — before you were ever born — He said you’re good enough. He said ‘I’ll never forget your name because I created you and I love you, and even if you don’t know that I hold you in the palm of My hands, you are significant to Me. You are so significant that I gave My Son for you; I gave My Son for you, that’s how much I love you.’ That’s how much you matter. That’s how special you are. See, you’re not an accident, you’re not a mistake; you are important and you are loved by the God of this universe.”
Prior to the event’s kickoff, Tebow met with dozens of special needs children and adults, who continue to hold a special place in his heart. Tebow’s foundation sponsors “Night to Shine,” a prom night experience centered on God’s love for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On Feb. 10, 375 churches from around the world hosted “Night to Shine” for 75,000 honored guests through the support of 150,000 volunteers.
Woodville resident Roger Morrison and his 23-year-old son, Austin, who suffered severe injuries after being hit by a drunk driver four years ago, were unable to attend the meet and greet prior to the event. However, as the event began to conclude, they were approved by one of the hundreds of volunteers.
“We were just sitting in the stands and a lady came over there and said, ‘We saw your son and would like to know if he would like to meet Tim,’” Roger Morrison explained.
The duo was ushered behind the stage and Austin Morrison was able to meet Tebow just before he was rushed away to the airport.
“My son just told him how much he loved him,” Roger said. “He’s been an Alabama fan and had a hard time when
Tim was with Florida. The fact that they would bring us back here to meet him is outstanding.”
Austin agreed.
“He shook my hand, stood me up and hugged my neck,” he said. “I love Tim Tebow.”
Tebow is now a baseball player with the New York Mets’ organization as well as an analyst with the SEC Network and contributes to a variety of ESPN platforms. (Reprinted with permission)
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